Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Go To Soup

Hamburger "Go To" Soup

In 1983, I lived in Elko, Nevada, far away from my home state of Washington. Far away from my mom or any family for that matter, far away from my friends. I was pregnant and all alone...except for my husband and our 3 year old son, Lucas, We had moved for a job, but it was hard to leave our hometown. We lived in Elko for 8 years and by the time we left, we were heartbroken to leave behind what good friends we had made. Some of them remain our friends to this day. It was good place for us to have landed for a while.
When our 2nd son, Dustin was born, a lady from our church brought over a meal; Hamburger Soup, spiced Jell-o and a loaf of French bread.
It was the best meal I had ever had.
Well, okay...at the time, it was the nicest gesture, because we were without family (my mom did come down later in the week) and it was really, really good. A homecooked meal brought to me and my family.
Ever since then, it's been my 'go to' soup in case of emergency. It's quick, it's easy and most of all...it's good.
My friend April had her gallbladder out this morning. Earlier this afternoon I took them a pot of Hamburger soup.
I just got the phone call.... it was a hit....as I knew it would be.

Hamburger Soup

1 to 1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
4 cups beef broth
4 cups water
16 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 medium onion--chopped
2 carrots--sliced
2 ribs of celery--sliced
1/3 cup pearl barley
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tsp. season salt
1 tsp. dried basil
1 bay leaf

Brown the ground beef, drain off the grease. Add water and remaining ingredients in order given. Simmer for 2 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

3 comments:

Susan said...

Your soup looks yummy- Im make something like this...it really makes you feel good when you eat it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog- stop by again. :)

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Ooh, Debbie. I really like your soup. It would be so perfect for me right now. I'm cold and old Mr. Arthur Itis is calling me. HAHA Send me a bowl, will you?

So glad you enjoyed the write-up on La Virgen de Guadalupe. The Mexican culture and its' traditions are lovely.

grace said...

we have something a lot like this pretty much weekly in the winter, except we just call it vegetable beef soup. i like your name better--it's more appetizing. :)